Lionel Messi had every emotion in Argentina’s game in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup against Egypt. His missed penalty in the first half, then scoring the second goal for a great comeback made him cry after his Argentina side won 3-2 and reached the quarter-finals.
Argentina appeared headed for an early exit just 11 minutes into normal time. Egypt had struck the world with a 2-0 lead thanks to Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko and Messi’s missed penalty earlier in the match seemed to be going to haunt the 39-year-old on what might be his last World Cup campaign.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had an excellent chance to draw level in the first half after Nicolas Tagliafico won a penalty but the Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir guessed correctly and made a good save to deny Messi from the spot. Messi's World Cup penalty miss was the fourth non-shootout penalty miss of his career and the most by any player in the tournament’s history. He had also failed to take a penalty against Austria in the group stage earlier in the competition and is the only player in the history of the World Cup so far to miss two penalties.
The missed opportunity encapsulated a frustrating evening for Argentina. Shobeir continued to frustrate the South American giants with fantastic saves from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez, while Messi also rattled the crossbar with a dangerous free-kick. At the other end Egypt looked fearless and organized and took the lead with Yasser Ibrahim before Mostafa Ziko doubled the lead in the second half with a lightning-fast counterattack.
Argentina had already been given a lifeline when Egypt had another goal ruled out after a controversial VAR review earlier in the second half. Lionel Scaloni’s side, though, looked frustrated and in a crisis when the clock ticked down and the defending champions got closer to elimination.
Then came one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history.
Cristian Romero launched Argentina’s fightback in the 79th minute and scored a header from Messi’s perfectly taken free kick. The goal rocked the mood at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and gave Argentina fresh hope and put pressure on the Egyptian defence.
Messi produced four minutes later just when his team needed him the most. Getting the ball outside the penalty area, the Argentine captain launched a powerful half-volley that took a touch off goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir before crashing in off the underside of the crossbar. Messi scored his eighth goal of the tournament and 21st goal of the FIFA World Cup, extending his remarkable scoring record on football’s biggest stage.
Argentina took a fantastic turnaround deep into stoppage time and with Egypt still struggling to recover from the equaliser. Lautaro Martinez sent a ball into the penalty area and Enzo Fernandez rose highest to send a header into the net and seal an unforgettable 3-2 victory.
As the final whistle blew Messi was overcome by emotions. Television cameras captured the Argentine legend in tears as he hugged his teammates after one of the most emotional moments of his international career.
Messi later admitted that he had feared a missed penalty might cost Argentina their place in the tournament.
"I think yes it was a relief, a relief for everyone," Messi said. “I was very angry about the missed penalty, how I kicked it. I felt like at that moment I had let the group down. Luckily, God had once again something special in store for me at the end. I was able to score the equalising goal. It was a great relief and a huge happiness for us and for all these people who came again and showed what it means to be Argentine."
Argentina’s captain also praised his teammates’ fighting spirit, claiming that refusing to go down was the key to another memorable World Cup win.
"I have said it many times, and I repeat it often. This is a team that competes, that always gives their all, that never gives up and never lowers its arms," he said.
Argentina’s resilience has become one of the defining attributes of their World Cup campaign. So far, after another major scare the current holders have just proven to themselves why they’re still one of the favourites to win the trophy. They will now meet either Colombia or Switzerland in the quarter-finals, and have the confidence to do so after one of the biggest escapes of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Messi’s night will not be remembered for the missed penalty, but for his character that came back when it came down to it at the center of the night’s game. The Argentine captain proved that he is still the heart of his nation’s World Cup aspirations in just a few minutes from despair to redemption.
